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Real-Life Hot Guys: Baristas

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were checking out a new coffee shop. The drinks we ordered were delicious but there was a moment when I set down my coffee, looked around and thought, “Hot damn there are a bunch of cuties working here.” So of course I scheduled a return trip so I could introduce them to you.

Coffee shop dudes are kind of mysterious, aren’t they? And who hasn’t flirted with one (or two or three) baristas while picking up your morning java fix? Today, we’re getting to know the guys behind the counter of Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa, California. Pour yourself a cup of office-issue coffee and get comfortable. First up is Alan.

Alan, 24

What’s your drink of choice? Probably a macchiato.

Does a woman’s drink order say anything about her? It really depends. If she is ordering a super complicated drink, she’s just ridiculous.

Ever been hit on by a customer? No. But if I do get hit on anywhere, it’s usually old women who hit on me. Like over the age of 50.

What’s the perfect first date? Anywhere where I don’t have to try so hard. That’s always been the toughest thing to ask.

So for a first date, do you leave it up to the girl to decide what to do? No, I don’t know. It’s usually just eating somewhere.

George, 25

What’s your drink of choice? I really like our siphon [coffee].

Does a woman’s drink order say anything about her? I haven’t really given it much thought. I really don’t like to judge that. But I used to work at Starbucks and I found that when there’s frou-frou drinks coming out with extra caramel, the people usually looked like they were kind of high maintenance.

Ever been hit on by a customer? Not that I’ve noticed. But then again, I’m pretty oblivious to that kind of thing.

What’s the perfect first date? I’m a geologist so going out to the mountains and hiking. Or going out to the beach and checking it out. Down by Laguna Beach, there’s Crystal Cove and the cliffs. It’s really nice during sunset.

Stevie, 21

What’s your drink of choice? I really love our Kyoto iced coffee.

Does a woman’s drink order say anything about her? I mean someone who orders something like a Caramel Frappuccino, I wouldn’t necessarily think to be very sophisticated as far as palette goes. They might not be willing to try new things. If you’re sticking to things that are so covered up with sugar and stuff you might not venture into new things. Nobody wants somebody who’s not going to try new things with them.

Ever been hit on by a customer? Well, maybe once or twice. You know, I don’t want to disclose that but I’ve gotten compliments on my eyes.

What’s the perfect first date? Lunch at Ikea.

Ikea?! Like a hot dog and a vanilla cone?! No, their Swedish meatballs! But I like coffee on the first date, I really do. Most people think, “You work at a coffee shop, why would you want to go to a coffee shop on a first date?” But I love it. It’s nice, you get to talk. I don’t like dinner and a movie because you don’t get to talk. But I have had that experience where I’m out on a first date and they order a Frappuccino and I’m like, “Well, this date’s over.”

Truman, 22

What’s your favorite drink? Depends on my mood, usually an espresso.

Does a woman's drink order say anything about her? Absolutely, it shows if they have a refined palette.

Ever been hit on by a customer? No.

What’s the perfect first date? Sneaking into a fancy hotel and just hanging out.

Demart, 21

What’s your drink of choice? I’m usually against sweeter drinks but I like our mochas the best.

Do you think a woman’s drink says anything about her? I’m attracted when a woman gets black coffee because she likes to drink it and knows her stuff. If you get sweet drinks you kind of numb your mouth. So if you’re able to drink black coffee, you kind of pay attention to those little things; you need that sensitive tongue to appreciate those things that coffee gives out.

Ever been hit on by a customer? I actually broke up with my girlfriend like two weeks ago so as far as girls go, I don’t think so, really. But I don’t know if I was aware of it because I was so obsessed with that girl at that moment. I might have been blind to it. So I’m just going to go with a no.

What’s the perfect first date? So it’s kind of weird but one of my first dates was actually with that girl, but at the end of the date, we were driving on the freeway at like two in the morning and we rolled down all the windows and I said, “Hey, on three, we’re both going to yell out each other’s names at the top of our lungs.” And on three we just did. It was kind of weird, but it just felt free.

Skyler, 22

What’s your favorite drink? I have a mix up between Ethiopia, which is brewed coffee and I love the single origin iced mocha.

Do you think a woman’s drink order says anything about her? You know what, I actually never thought about that.

Ever been hit on by a customer? I’d like to say yes, just so I could have good self-esteem. But I don’t know for sure.

What’s the perfect first date? I’m a simple guy. I’ve actually asked a few girls out on a date and the first date is always, “Let’s go hang out at a coffee shop.” And it’s a place I can get to know them. I can sit down and talk to them and there’s no things going on around us that are distracting. It’s just a cool, relaxing place to come hang out, drink some awesome drinks and have a good time.

Ladies, how’s the talent at your local coffee house? Have you ever flirted (or wanted to flirt) with the baristas at your favorite coffee shop? And what sort of real-life hot guys should we check out next? Surfers? Musicians? Bartenders?